William Schanbacher

William Schanbacher serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of South Florida, where he directs the USF Urban Food Sovereignty Initiative—an interdisciplinary research hub addressing food insecurity through community-driven solutions and food sovereignty frameworks.

His scholarship centers on religious and social ethics applied to food systems, examining how ethical imperatives intersect with food sovereignty movements globally. Dr. Schanbacher investigates structural inequalities in food access, emphasizing food as a fundamental human right and analyzing tensions between state-led food security models and community-based food sovereignty approaches.

His three major publications trace evolving food justice paradigms: The 2010 work establishes foundational conflicts between food security and sovereignty frameworks; the 2019 volume argues for ethical pathways to global hunger eradication; and the 2023 handbook historicizes U.S. food insecurity through sovereignty lenses. Collectively, these works demonstrate his consistent focus on ethical governance of food systems and marginalized communities' agency.

As Director of the USF Urban Food Sovereignty Initiative, he coordinates cross-disciplinary research teams developing practical interventions for food-insecure populations while building community capacity for sustainable food autonomy.